Creative Midlands Heritage

Posted: 23 Jan 2012 02:23 AM PST

Sturgate had a relatively short operational history. Opened in 1944 it was home to two squadrons of Lancasters and used for blind landing training. Later it was taken over by USAF with Thunderbolts based for training. Currently the home of Lincoln Aero Club who operate during daylight hours every weekend.

Unknown USAF building on the former site of the FIDO fuel store

The Gigg, Alton, Staffordshire

Posted: 22 Jan 2012 07:03 AM PST

The Gigg was a dwelling house with outbuildings and land in Alton it was named about 1713. It is located about quarter of mile, east, along what used to the railway track. There is a gate and footpath which goes onto Alton Towers property, at this gate was The Gigg.
It may have been occupied up to the time the railway line closed This fact I will have to confirm.
Today as the images show, it is over grown and just rubble with a boundary wall plus a Victoria Plumb tree, and a pear tee still bearing fruit. It was built on what used to be the Caldon to Uttoxeter Canal, The canal is now being restored and using the original canal in this area. (Another thread will be started, unless there is already one)
Census research show that 1841, Gigg House, Joseph and Elizabeth Flint were occupiers and he was a Farm Labourer
1851, Gig House, Samuel and Mary Flint, he was a gardener working on Alton Estate
1861-1881, The Gigg William and Hannah Cotton, who was a farm labourer (His great great niece has been in correspondence with me today) In 1881 he was widowed and had his son in law Thomas Mace living with him.
1881-1911, The Gigg House, Thomas and Dorothy Mace with children Bertha and Percy. he was Railway Plate Layer
Percival, joined the Royal Fusiliers as Private 1870 on the 31st August 1914 and was discharged from the army by a Captain, RAMC at Military Hospital Western heights, Dover suffering from varicose veins on the 21st October 1914, returning home to resume his occupation with his father as a Railway Plate Layer
The Gigg,